I have had some extractions (lower) on both sides toward the back and haven't done anything. They don't show and I have don't any trouble eating. I have a deadly fear of dental work and won't have anything done that isn't absolutely necessary. Of course Im sure I'll pay the price.

I had an upper tooth (right before the wisdom tooth) pulled about 3 years ago now. At the time my dentist wanted to do an implant ($5,000 because a bone graft would be involved) or a bridge. I think that was a couple of thousand dollars. When the dentist left the room, his assistant told me I had another option - just leave it alone. The big fear of my teeth spreading has never materialized. There was no way I was going to do a bone graft (sinus lift) after seeing what that is online, plus there was no guarantee that I wouldn't have sinus problems afterwards. And I wasn't going to spend $5,000 on one tooth. I was 62 at the time. I have had no problems at all in not having that tooth. I'm so grateful his assistant told me that I had that option.

I have one implant in a forward molar and I love it! It feels like the strongest tooth in my mouth - could crack nuts with it if I wanted.

I wonder if you decide to not do anything right now, if you would be able to get a retainer made to wear at night that would ensure your teeth don't move?

Ack! Two "Do it" and two "Nevermind" opinions.

DH had an upper molar pulled and did nothing. He has no wisdom teeth, and this was the last but one. His teeth have not shifted and the lower 'mate' to this tooth has not been affected.

Some of my aversion is due to my age. I'm no longer impressed by the pitch, "It will last a lifetime." LOL

You don't have to decide now. Teeth are not like teenagers, they don't suddenly move halfway across town just because. You can keep an eye on the situation, and if the teeth start packing their bags and making 'I'm gonna move' vibes, then you can decide.

I wouldn't do it. It won't move rapidly, if it even moves at all. Hubby had a lower molar removed years ago. Still no shift.

Not to mention it is #30 which is way back there.

I'm honestly surprised you have a wisdom tooth! I don't think I know anyone that hasn't had them pulled. Maybe you had enough room in your mouth since you had what I'm assuming was your bicuspids pulled.

Texas Gem, I am 65 and I have all 4 wisdom teeth! When I was in my 20's, living in San Francisco, I went to a dentist who advised pulling all 4 "because you don't need them and they just end up giving you trouble". Well, I went to another dentist and he said there was absolutely no reason to pull my wisdom teeth. I had plenty of room in my mouth for them and my teeth were not crowded in any way. So I still have them today and I am glad I went to that second dentist. I have never had any problem (other than small cavities) with them to this day.

OK, more votes for "Do nothing".

Olychick -- You might patent your night 'retainer' idea. That reminds me...

...I was given a third -- much cheaper -- option: A one-tooth bridge that would come out at night. The oral surgeon said it would require three hooks, including a 'stabilizer' bar that went under my tongue and hooked on a tooth on the opposite side of my mouth. (Neigh?) I remember my mother had a removable bridge, but on her upper teeth.

Three of my wisdom teeth came in. The upper left doesn't even show on x-rays. My mouth is small, but since I'm lacking the (bicuspids?), I wanted to keep the wisdom teeth. They weren't any better than my other (cavity-ridden) teeth, and there were loud protests from the dentists who did the root canals and crowns in those cramped corners, but hey, I still have 'em!

Back to the cold pack -- and maybe another pain pill. Many thanks to you all!

Have you been to a prosthodontist? They are the experts in tooth replacement, whether one or many. Many general dentists do implants and simple restorations but not always that well.

I had the tooth next to a lower wisdom tooth pulled last year. I have had 6 months of letting it heal and will have a bridge. I find that I definitely don't chew food as well on that side.

Did your dentist seem to recommend one procedure over another? Does he want to do the implant? (Frankly, I'd prefer a specialist to do that.)

I am your age....I have had bottom teeth pulled on one side....I am not putting 5k a tooth in my mouth. I chew on the other side and have had no problem with other teeth shifting. I did have a bridge, but it would not stay in place with just a pin to hold it....another 5k shot in his trash can!

Now I have to look for a "prosthodontist'? As in "prosthesis'?

Our dentist of 15 years died unexpectedly in January. (Return of a cancer.) I saw the DDS who bought his practice for cleaning and 'inspection' two weeks ago. He does his own lab work, including implants -- and, I believe, bridges. I didn't go to the oral surgeon he recommended; went back to the one DH and I have used before.

New DDS and Oral Surgeon both do implants. Both claimed implants are 'state of the art'. Supposedly over ninety percent 'successful' -- whatever that means (over how long, on how many).

I lost the same tooth on the other side. The space was empty for awhile and I hated it. You may think it is not noticeable but it might be. I had an implant and I am so happy I did. Not only does it save the teeth next to it from shifting, it also keep the tooth above it from dropping. Chewing on one side only will lead to jaw problems. The health of your mouth is a worthwhile investment.

BTE, I still have four wisdom teeth! They are all lying sideways under the gum near my jaw. My x-rays are so strange looking.

If money isn't the issue, I would opt for the implant. I had one, including bone graft, about 5 years ago. Like olychick sayid, but it feels like the strongest tooth in my mouth. No fuss, no muss, no wires and I like the way it looks when I look in my mouth. No chewing better on one side of my mouth, either.

chisue, The removable tooth replacement works differently then they told you. A removeable single tooth replacement is called a Nesbitt. I believe after the person that designed it. An impression is taken of the area and a metal casting is made that has strong metal clasps that clip onto the tooth that is on each side of the space. Not around like the partial denture they described . The fact you already have crowns on those teeth is a plus. Once the frame is made, material is processed to the metal. It will look like a perfect tooth sitting on pink healthy gum. It will give you chewing surface, keep the other teeth from moving and will be affordable. Depending on your location, probably $1,000 to $1,800. If there is a dental school in your area , treatment is available on a sliding fee scale. A good choice , very supervised treatment at reduced fees. Including implants.

The implant is an ideal replacement, not a problem recovery wise. But a big investment. Doing nothing is always an option after an extraction. What most people do not realize is you loose more then one tooth when you have an extraction. You loose the function of the opposing tooth that no longer has a chewing surface to contact. The empty space can allow the opposing to tooth to move out of its socket (extrusion). This happens over time, not in a year. Depends on how your teeth come together (bite). The single tooth replacement is a good choice, but be aware, food gets around it and it can be annoying. Extra attention to keeping that area clean is a must.

More information to think about. I have worked 50 years as a chairside 4 handed assistant.

I recently had an upper (the second from the back) molar crack and had to be pulled. On the bottom the last molar was pulled many years ago. That made for an unusual chewing situation. My options were an implant, a crown-faketooth-crown situation, or bridge. I really didn't understand the implications involved with a bridge, and am not pleased with it, but opted for it due to the expense of the other 2 options. I am 71 in a couple of months so really couldn't justify 5K in my mouth. If I had it to do over I would do nothing and just chew on the other side or deal with the odd matching of teeth. It can't be seen so cosmetics isn't an issue. A friend had an implant and that sounded like a long drawn out experience in itself. I don't think there is a good answer......

Implants support new teeth on top and they are quick and easy but some months are allowed to pass after the implant is placed before the "teeth" or metal structure is attached. That allows the bone to heal and regrow around the implant posts, so as to support the pressure chewing puts on the new tooth or teeth.

chisue, sorry, missed your post-back.

yes, prosthodontist like prosthesis. They're dentists who have done an extra three years of study/residency to focus on tooth restorations of all kinds - from one to however many. Why go to them? For their added knowledge, added experience, added understanding of the best choices and approach for each given patient's situation.

A general dentist can pretty much do any procedure they want to do. But as it's better to see an endodontist for a root canal, a perio for gum surgery or gum issues, an oral surgeon for more complicated surgical needs, a prothosthodontist is the one with specialized knowledge and experience to correct for missing or broken teeth.

As before, implants are absolutely state of the art. But not infrequently they're done incorrectly (per my inside source of dental knowledge - a family member who's a dentist).

I'm not sure about this, but I think if you are to have an implant, the time to do it is very soon after extraction because as the jaw begins to heal, there are changes around the tooth socket. Waiting to a later date, say a year, may not be a good thing.

Here ia one thing to consider between a bridge and an implant is tooth hygiene. When a bridge is anchored between two teeth, there is a gap under the bridge that should be cleaned during regular tooth bushings. A tooth brush can not reach this space. One way it to use a dental floss threader to pass dental floss under the bridge, and the gum may be in contact with the bridge. The important spots to clean are the crevices where the bridge meets the supporting teeth. This space must receive maintenance else the support tooth may develop a cavity.

This under-bridge cleaning problem is eliminated with an implant. The implant acts the same as a regular tooth and hygiene is the same as for natural teeth. The main negative with an implant is potential for failure, that is, the jaw bone fails to meld with the post, and a chance of infection before healing gets well on its way. I do not have any data on failure rates or causes. That you'll have to research on your own. The best advice may be that from a friend or acquaintance who practices dentistry.

Having a long history with bridges etc, my experience is if you're having a bridge do NOT get a removable one - bottom ones get caught up in the tongue, etc. I had one years ago and finally gave up wearing it. I have a permanent bridge on the bottom (plus elsewhere) and that's anchored to the teeth on one slide and floats on the other because I lost that wisdom tooth. It works well for me but that's a personal and financial decision.

I had an implant done and it cost 3,200 which I thought was high. My friend had a back tooth pulled and never replaced it and that was 30 years ago, the other teeth didn't move, she can eat fine and has had no problems. I'll bet there are many many who do nothing.

Thank you all for sharing your knowledge. I do *try* Google, etc. first, but that's nothing like the pool of real-life experience at the KT!

i had an upper back tooth removed and did nothing. The surrounding teeth have grown closer together, but haven't caused any problems.